The New Era

[Guest INXS]

Cena, Orton & Batista are the new era.

 

Established main event draws take years to get there - technically and psychologically in the ring. WWE have finally learned this after spending the last few yeras not attempting to build anyone of just hotshotting guys into main event slots.

 

Whether anyone likes Cena's gimmick it or not, he connects to a live crowd like no one else in wrestling at the moment. As corny as it sounds, having seen him live, his charsisma is out of this world. Sure, a character tweak here and there over the next year or two and he's set. As for his work, he is working to fit his character - he has his signature moves that pop the crowd - if a character change dictates he CAN work a more technical style if need be. Some of the most over and higher drawing guys in wrestling such as Hogan, Rock and Austin got over as brawlers with signature moves and were more gimmick based workers rather than being technically sound.

 

Batista is a shining example of how working hard with the right opponnent a 'hoss' guy with seemingly little talent can take off and improve dramatically. His character is almost there, he certainly has the look - another year or two lerarning in the ring and he too could be there.

 

The best thing going for Orton is his look - he's good looking, cool looking, clean cut, young, hip and has an amazingly cool looking finisher - a guy that WWE badly needed. Kids today don't want to put up posters of old, veiny guys like Benoit, HHH or Flair or wear their T-shirts - wrestling IS cyclical and the rise of young guys like Orton and Cena are going to help kickstart WWE back in to the mainstream like The Rock and Austin did.

[Guest Trivia247]

He had the Killswitch. I don't know why he doesn't use it more often. It's almost like a blue thunder/bossman slam, starts off as a backbody drop, and ends up as some type of slam. It wasn't bad, but now he only uses it once every 4 months, and does it very slowly.

Did he perform this move on his first PPV match against Jericho? This was....sometime before his rapper gimmick, and he won after reversing the walls of Jericho. I seem to recall he did a move that resemble a titl-a-whirl-slam or something similar.

 

Back on topic: I would pick Benjamin over Cena as the future. But he's....in his late twenties, right? I hope he reach that next level of superstardom soon. Cena's current version of FU is so lame, even my housemate who's a casual mark can't buy it as a finisher.

He did like a Stinger Splash then roll up thingie for the win. No Protoboming Killswitching.

[Nighthawk 0]

Whether anyone likes Cena's gimmick it or not, he connects to a live crowd like no one else in wrestling at the moment.

Nah, the Undertaker can do it better. Looks like Undertaker is the new era.

[Guest INXS]

I don't agree that Taker can - for a start he rarely cuts promos - sure, he get a great pop and his entrance is amazing but I am talking about something different here.

[Nighthawk 0]

The fact that Cena connects with the audience is not something good about Cena, it's something bad about the audience.

[humongous2002 0]

Is a shame that the audience is into gay bashing promos.

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

No, I could actually pop for the RKO because I'm a DDP mark. Cena does his "Death Valley Driver" so poorly I can't help but think how awful it is.

But the RKO is a poorly-done Diamond Cutter.

[Guest J-Rock]

Trivia and Loony said it best. Cena is still learning and da E will put the belt on him regardless. You guys missed my point. Putting the belt on someone is more of a marketing stragedy than anythinhg now. It's all about who draws, not the best wrestler. Cena is the future but, who said the future is now (and don't compare him to Orton or Batista). Unlike Road Dogg, Cena is being pushed. Dogg was just someone to get the crowd into the show. Cena is the "modern hip hop era" guy. Throwbacks, chain necklaces, fitted hats, are more applealing than short tights and 'toothless aggresion' shirts (not bashing Benoit). The guy is market gold, no matter how much you think he sucks. That's why he's the future.

 

Quit making comparisons to other wrestlers. He not the best wrestler, or maybe even championship level now, but he sells. Don't you think Vince will put the belt on him and see sales revenue go up. WWE is about da $$$$.

 

As far as my comments about Orlando Jordan, he's good I know, but he's still at jobber status. Quash quash quash!

[cabbageboy 0]

Orlando Jordan is merely the Virgil of the 21st century. Except when he turns on JBL no one will give a flying fuck.

 

I was watching SMDN with some friends last night, both of whom are seemingly big Cena fans. Dave (who is black by the way) said during the battle rap: "Jesus, these people are marking out over THIS weak rhyming? They are desperate to mark out. They WANT to mark out."

 

I actually do agree that Killings is better than Cena. Not only is he better as a rapper, but he's obviously much more authentic. Cena is probably an upper middle class white boy from MA...he's THIS close to being Jamie Kennedy from Malibu's Most Wanted. At least when The Truth ranted about being held down by the man, there was an element of truth to it. Neither is particularly good in the ring however.

[Guest J-Rock]

I was watching SMDN with some friends last night, both of whom are seemingly big Cena fans. Dave (who is black by the way) said during the battle rap: "Jesus, these people are marking out over THIS weak rhyming? They are desperate to mark out. They WANT to mark out."

 

I actually do agree that Killings is better than Cena. Not only is he better as a rapper, but he's obviously much more authentic. Cena is probably an upper middle class white boy from MA...he's THIS close to being Jamie Kennedy from Malibu's Most Wanted. At least when The Truth ranted about being held down by the man, there was an element of truth to it. Neither is particularly good in the ring however.

 

True, very true. I hate to say it like this, but Cena's white er go the "Eminem" factor. If Cena was black he would be pushed just as a one-dimentional rapper, not a rapping superstar. In a field where "white wrestlers are the majority", Cena, if black, would just be another young guy who escaped his dark childhood though rapping and wrestling. We've seen this before (thank you Vince). Anyway, since he is white, he brings a black element, like Em, and turns it into $. The World is now in the Hip Hop stage and Cena is capaltilizing on it. Most kids want to act and dress like they're black, so as wrestling fans they like Cena. And how many are real upper class fans. Trust me there are alot. Hate to see it but it's true. I'm not bashing anyone here, but as the World changes, so does da WWE and Cena is the face of it.

 

Cena has skills, don't get me wrong, but he does say some wack ass crap.

[Jericho2000Mark 0]

Randy Orton is alright, but he's kind of stale. When he was a heel he was on fire, he was turn face too soon. Now I think his character is just burnt out. They need to turn him heel ASAP. He is a main event wrestler tho.

 

John Cena, basically just read what I said about Orton.

Other than his fued with Foley, Orton was never "on fire" as a heel, he usually drew midcard reactions, at best.

 

Nothing about Orton resembles Main Event material... His offense is generic and his finisher comes off sloppy and poorly done. Comparing the RKO to the FU is like comparing a chinlock to a sleeper...both look equally shitty. His mic work is bland and incomparable to Cena's, who's heel promos in 2003 are significantly better than anything Orton has ever said since. As for their in-ring ability...neither are really any better than the other. Orton's only having better matches because he's working with better talent, although I do like how he sells certain moves. Other than that...Cena is far more over, marketable(only the female audience is really behind Orton), sells more merch and charismatic than Orton has ever shown signs of being. Cena has a better shot at being "the future of WWE", if(and that's a big if) Triple H was going to step down within the next 5 years.

 

Batista could be a good short-term attraction...I don't really see him doing much after his fued with Triple H.

 

Haas could be something if WWE gave a shit about him. Benjamin is a little bland and needs a stronger character.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

Here's how I'd do Cena/JBL.

 

Cena loses to Kenzo in their match next week. Hiroko threatens to kill one of Cenas Bitches and Cena gets distracted and Kenzo hits him with the US title and becomes champ. The next week, Cena get a rematch at the Rumble where Hiroko has to be handcuffed to one of his bitches, (or something). That same Smackdown, JBL and his Entourage bumps into Cena...

 

JBL: Hey there Johnny-boy! What's goin on?

 

Cena: Nothin much man.

 

JBL: Aw, why so glum? Is it because you lost yer lil US title?!

*Entourage laughs with JBL*

 

Cena: HaHa, very funny. Hey, you know what would cheer me up? Takin YOUR title.

 

*JBL and The Entourage's expression changes from happy to concered*

 

JBL: I don't think you want any of this, John. I'm the greatest WWE champion of all time. You're better off stickin with the US title, it looks good on ya...

 

Cena: I dunno, champ. I kinda like idea of me bein WWE champ. Hows about a title shot?

 

JBL: I'd love to give you a shot John, but if you haven't noticed, I already have 2 other guys challenging me for my belt at the Royal Rumble. Kurt Angle and the Big Show, triple threat match, JBL's 6th PPV title defense. Maybe after that, though, you can step up to the big time. But until then, good luck on your US title match. Let's get outta here guys, I think I have an appointment or something to go to.

 

At the Royal Rumble, Cena is once against distracted by Hiroko and Kenzo is about to win it. However, the Basham Brothers come to the ring to separate Hiroko and Cenas Bitch #3 and Orlando Jordan comes in and KO's Kenzo. Cena pins Kenzo and becomes US champion. The Bashams and Jordan celebrate as Cena looks on confused. After JBL retains against Big Show and Angle, Cena comes to JBL's locker room were they are all celebrating.

 

*Queens "We are the champions" is playing (or some music)*

 

JBL: YEEEEEEEEAH!!! Did you see me out there, didya?

 

Jordan: You the MAN JBL.

 

JBL: I am the man, I AM THE MAN! GREATEST CHAMPION OF ALL TIME!

 

*Entourage starts a JBL chant*

 

*Cena walks in*

 

JBL: YEAH! JOHN CENA! ONCE AGAIN US CHAMPION! It's a CELEBRATION! ENJOY YOURSELVES! HAHHA. WEEE ARE THE CHAMPIONS, WEEEEEEEE ARE THE CHAMPIONS, NOOOO TIME FOR LOOO- *Cena kicks the CD player*

 

JBL: Hey, what's the matter with you?! That's a classic!

 

Cena: What's the matter with me? What's the matter with ME?!

 

JBL: Yeah, what's the matter with you?! You're US champion! You got what you wanted! You won! I won! CELEBRATE dammit!

 

Cena: I ain't celebrating THAT. (JBL: "why not?") I don't need your help, man. I don't need your charity. I can handle myself.

 

JBL: John, John, John. I know you don't need my help. You're a great wrestler. You're going to be a great US champion. I just wanted to make sure you got the ti- I wanted to make sure THE FANS got to see you win. I love the fans. I love the... chain gang... I want to see them happy. And they are John, they are. You're US champion, I'm WWE champion, George W Bush is president, Tim McGraw and Nelly are dueting, Orlando Jordan is smiling, everything is right in the world. Why can't you just be happy?

 

Cena: I'm not happy because even though I'm US champion, I didn't EARN it. And where I'm from, you EARN what you get. You don't get handouts from rich guys, I don't play like dat. If you ever interfere in my matches again, I will bust you up, fo real.

 

JBL: Alright, I hear ya, I'm sorry. Really. It won't happen again. My mistake, you enjoy yourself now, enjoy that US title, ok, don't be so mad. I just wanted to help. The champ is sorry.

 

Cena: Nah man, the champ is HERE. *Cena points to himself and leaves*

 

*Camera follows Cena when off in the distance you can faintly hear JBL say "US champ" and the music turns back on*

 

To be continued...

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

*On the post RR Smackdown*

 

*JBL's limo pulls up to the ring to start off the show, however, only Orlando Jordan walks out with the Entourage, the announcers ponder where JBL is*

 

Jordan: After his 6th PPV title defense, taking on all comers from Eddie Guerrero, to Big Show, to Kurt Angle, to Booker T, to The Undertaker, and 7 months as champion, JBL has finally decided to take a vacation.

 

Cole: A VACATION?!

 

Tazz: Can he do that?

 

Cole: I dunno, it's unprecidented.

 

Tazz: I never took a vacation when I was champ, I'll tell you that. But if I knew I could, hell, I'd take one too!

 

Jordan: JBL wishes everyone a good day, and god bless America.

 

*later on in the show Cena received a gift basket from JBL, a "congratulations" card, and a picture of the WWE champion.*

 

...

[Promoter 0]

Cena CAN be the future. It's the booking that's messing him up and as been said before about him still learning. Stuff like last night is friggin lame. Cena has to stay cutting edge like the times he feuded with Eddie Guerrero, Kurt Angle, and Brock Lesnar.

 

JBL/Cena SHOULD not happen anytime soon. They have to take their time with Cena imo and I say the earliest he wins the big title is WM 22, but Vince is probably thinking SummerSlam. I think if they put the title on Cena now they will destroy his push worse than Orton's. JBL is the perfect foil for Cena to become the champion because Cena's character is the direct opposite, but I honestly think if they bring back Brock that is the feud that should have Cena win the big title. Cena kind of has the pulse of the newer fans with stuff like spinners on his title belt and creating a "chain gang"(although he should come up with a better name like HBK's Kliq which he doesn't use much anymore).

 

As someone said Cena needs that special feud where Cena's "realness" comes out and things don't seem manufactured. That was a major problem with Orton. They did not give enough time for fans to actually feel any "realness" to HHH wanting to make Orton bleed like a pig. It was too rushed. The same with the "legend killer" gimmick. For all the hate about the Hassan gimmick there is some "realness" to what is being done and that evokes the emotions of the fans. They have to cut down on the feeling of stuff being manufactured. I really think what Cena needs is a Scott Stiener style approach on the mic LIVE on raw and working with stars who can protect his weaknesses. That is one reason why as a heel his feud with Eddie and Angle worked so well.

 

Another thing Cena needs is the MAINSTREAM gimmick that people forget Hogan and Austin had. Cena needs to do something big with a mainstream credible rapper imo when they work out all the tweaks with Cena. He also needs that special feud. Hogan first had the fight for America with Iron Shiek followed by the Rock 'N Wrestling Connection with Cyndi Lauper against Piper. Austin had the roots with Bret Hart fighting for America and going against Vince Mcmahon BEFORE the Montreal screwjob and then had the Mike Tyson incident. It can be done.

[Guest TheLastBoyscout]

1) Cena has been declining in popularity steadily for the last year.

 

2) His is not a main event gimmick.

 

3) He has not shown the skills required to be the next big thing. At the moment he's a two dimensional gimmick relying on cheap pops in both promos and in matches. When he gets more rounded as both a character and in the ring, then we'll talk.

 

4) At the moment Orton, Batista and even Bradshaw are ahead of him as regards most of the reasons you gave in your post.

To all three of your points I say... says who?

 

1.) There's been no discrenable drop off in popularity anywhere but places like this on the internet. His pops have stayed consistant throughout the face run.

 

2.) During Eddie's run as Champ, Cena and his midcard gimmick were out-popping every week on the road. And I think JBL has proven that what the internet thinks can draw and what can draw are two very different things.

 

3.) Cena is adaquete in the ring. That's really all a face in the WWE needs.

 

4.) Totally subjective point.

[CanadianChick 0]

Cena is a strange case. What he is right now is very gimmicky, but it works. He's incredibly over, and I'm sure that'll translate when he's a main eventer, but will he make money?

 

I think in order for him to be very successful, he needs to tone down the rapper gimmick slightly. Keep the image, keep the Chain Gang, keep the swanker, lose the rhyming. It's key to keep the image though, because that's what people relate to. And if he doesn't rhyme, then maybe he won't be seen as such a wigger by some fans.

 

And RRR, that scenerio is pretty good.

[Angle-plex 0]

He needs to stop the rhyming and all the gay jokes if he wants to get anywhere. Calling someone "gay" may be funny to the people under 14 in the audience, but it will not make someone want to order a PPV to see a match between Cena and said "gay" opponent. A feud with JBL now would just end up with Cena saying that JBL, The Bashams and Orlando are all gay together and end with an anti-climatic title win after a lackluster feud. That will do nothing but ruin any future that Cena may have. Only after he lose the rhyming, start cutting some "real" promos, and gets in some good (serious) feuds is when he'll be able to move to the next level.

[Guest LooneyTune]

If I were a WWE booker, I wouldn't have Cena win the title at WM 21. Like someone said, WM 22 makes more sense, that way they can get rid of Cena's horrible rapping garbage and turn him into a more complete wrestler without hot-shotting it. Calling people gay will only get you so far (Road Dogg was barely a midcarder despite being super over with crowds because of his mic work).

 

First, Turn him heel, get a stable of wrestlers while breaking up the other heel factions, since it will stand out more. Maybe the Wigger-Nation or something stupid (because it's WWE of course).

 

Second... someone needs to light a fire under his ass. The last match of his that I didn't go "blech, what garbage" to was, surprisingly, against the UNDERTAKER at Vengeance 2003. I guess he's turning into Lex Luger where he thinks he doesn't need to improve since WWE will push him no matter what.

 

I honestly cannot think of a single match he's had in the last 18 months that stands out.

 

For the love of GOD, someone steal his US Title and burn it. The most horrible looking belt ever that would make the Hardcore Title cry over how fucking stupid it is.

 

Stop calling people gay in every promo. Maybe it's funny to those 13 year old losers who think calling people gay is the greatest insult on earth, but to mature fans who've probably seen every Al Pacino movie ever, Cena looks like the teenager who's trying to be cool but really isn't.

[Brett Favre 0]

After all of this, we've found out that Cena's real problem is calling people gay.

 

1) Stop calling people gay

2) All promos shouldn't rhyme

3) Try in your wrestling matches (But think about it, other than the Booker series' that's been horrible, who has he faced that's remotely decent in the ring, plus, 90% matches have been squashes anyway)

4)Money feud. Whoever is going to be that guy, remains to be seen.

[Guest BDC]

In the beginning, Cena did his own raps and people loved them. Once he turned face, though, I remember reading about how he wasn't doing all his raps, the writing staff was giving them to him.

 

Myself, I think that he needs to fill out beyond the gimmick. That's what successful wrestlers do. Think about the Rock and Austin, as more recent examples. There's more than "anti-hero" or "arrogant trashtalker" and so on. That's what Cena, as well as folks like Haas, Benjamin and so on need. Even Eddy pulled this off, but Chris Benoit never got the chance, and so he's still regarded as sort of bland by some.

[Guest INXS]

Orlando Jordan is merely the Virgil of the 21st century. Except when he turns on JBL no one will give a flying fuck.

I think it'll be a decent angle actually...

[Guest INXS]

No, I could actually pop for the RKO because I'm a DDP mark. Cena does his "Death Valley Driver" so poorly I can't help but think how awful it is.

But the RKO is a poorly-done Diamond Cutter.

Hey, the Diamond Cutter is a great move.

[Promoter 0]

It's true that the creative team gives Cena some of this horrible material, but I also feel that he needs to work around it. Austin once said that today's guys wait for the staff to give them ideas instead of going home and thinking up stuff on their own. Who knows maybe Cena is coming up with stuff, but it's being nixed. Ever since they turned him face he has become more manufactured with finger rings(so 80's) and selling damn t-shirts. At least when Rock and Austin were being pimped to sell t-shirts they knew how to use it to advance their characters. Seriously, I can't believe Cena is coming up with some of these ideas like "Ruck Fules" that looks like a cheap black and white Austin carbon copy shirt. Another thing to consider is that maybe the wwe is telling him to wrestle the way he is. Remember the rumour that the staff told Heidenreich or was it Mordecai to not wrestle, but punch and kick because that's his character? Regardless, they have to do something with Cena before putting the big title on him or accept the reality of another Randy Orton disaster reign.

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

No, I could actually pop for the RKO because I'm a DDP mark. Cena does his "Death Valley Driver" so poorly I can't help but think how awful it is.

But the RKO is a poorly-done Diamond Cutter.

Hey, the Diamond Cutter is a great move.

I know. The problem is the RKO looks like garbage because it looks like a sloppily done Diamond Cutter.

[Guest Tjhe CyNick]

I dont think Cena will be the guy to bring the WWE back to past glory, in fact I'm about 200% sure that guy isn't currently on the roster. I just dont see anyone connecting with fans the way Austin, Rock or Hogan did.

 

That said, out of the guys they do have ont he roster, I think Cena has the best chance. Go to any mall in North America and you'll see kids lsitening to rap music wearing jerseys and bike locks around their necks.....okay maybe not that last one.

 

But seriosuly, if the WWE is still going after that male teen demo, which I assume they are, then Cena is the guy to run with. He's a loose representation of what is hip in North American culture right now.

 

In terms of his promos, I think they are much worse as a baby, but thats the nature of the beast. With both Rock and Austin, I thought they were far and away much better with promos as heels, but as faces they got over more, so they did a formulated schtick. You cant argue with the money it drew.

 

His work isnt great, but that doesn't matter much, its been proven many times that guys can get over with 4 or 5 signature moves and suspect abilities in the ring.

 

Should he win the title at Mania? Only if he's in the main event. If they are going to main even the RAW title, then I think they'd be better to hold Cena title win until he can be the focal point of the show.

 

BTW how do you dress "black"? And as a follow up, if a black guy wears a business suit, does that mean he's dressing "white"? I just need that clarified for my own personal knowledge.

[Guest LooneyTune]

Who introduced the style of the "gangster" look? I sure as hell know it wasn't white people. It's white people trying to act black.

 

And business suits are business suits. Even Arabs wear them, to the shock of some Americans. It's called looking Professional.

[Nighthawk 0]

Man, just abort this conversation about white and black people, all of you. You're making fools of yourselves.

[zyn081 0]

Trivia and Loony said it best. Cena is still learning and da E will put the belt on him regardless. You guys missed my point. Putting the belt on someone is more of a marketing stragedy than anythinhg now. It's all about who draws, not the best wrestler. Cena is the future but, who said the future is now (and don't compare him to Orton or Batista). Unlike Road Dogg, Cena is being pushed. Dogg was just someone to get the crowd into the show. Cena is the "modern hip hop era" guy. Throwbacks, chain necklaces, fitted hats, are more applealing than short tights and 'toothless aggresion' shirts (not bashing Benoit). The guy is market gold, no matter how much you think he sucks. That's why he's the future.

 

Quit making comparisons to other wrestlers. He not the best wrestler, or maybe even championship level now, but he sells. Don't you think Vince will put the belt on him and see sales revenue go up. WWE is about da $$$$.

 

As far as my comments about Orlando Jordan, he's good I know, but he's still at jobber status. Quash quash quash!

Batista (and Haas) have got shelf lives being in their 30s.

 

 

Its been said a million times before, nobody draws in the WWE today.

 

Theres no point looking for the next Hogan, Austin or Rock. That will never work. Your killing such a wrestler before he starts out.

 

How can a remaked Virgil work?

 

Cena is going to be marketed till he dies.

 

If JBL had more swing I could see him, Orlando (US) and Bashams (Tag) have all the items.

 

I think Cena-HBK could have a good feud, but who would play the heal? :S

[Guest jumpingbombangel]

John Cena has the propensity to be very, very sick, twisted, and yes, funny. His low-brow humor (evidenced here if you haven't seen this yet -http://www.arches.uga.edu/~spray/Cena/Inventions/inventionsframeset.htm) might not sit well with a lot of fans, but I think anyone who watches the Adult Swim programming could get behind Cena if he were to drop the rap BS and showcase his seedier side in his promos.

 

Cena won't ever be the wrestler that WWE wants, but he has a sick sense of humor that could boost WWE shock value if needed.